"Silent Witness owes a great debt to the talented Tom Ward who has given us our beloved Harry with wit, style and passion for 10 seasons," said BBC Drama's Kate Harwood.

"We'll miss him so much and wish him all the best."

The sixteenth series of Silent Witness - due to air in early 2013 - will introduce two new series regulars, with David Caves and Liz Carr joining the show.

Caves will play "forensic scientist and part-time cage fighter" Jack Hodgson, with writer Tim Prager promising that the character will deliver "a shot of testosterone" to the long-running thriller.

"He is intuitive rather than academic," Prager explained. "His volatility adds something different to the other characters, who are more cerebral. He is impulsive, full of feeling, emotionally volatile, warm and clever. Jack is like Nikki (Emilia Fox)'s naughty younger brother."

Carr will play Hodgson's lab assistant Clarissa Mullery and described her character as "witty, smart and sarcastic".